176 
MALACOPTERYGII. 
The preserved specimens are similar in this respect, being 4i inches 
in length. 
1st specimen.— D. 18 ; P. 17 ; V. 9 ; A. 16; C. 20. 
2nd specimen. — D. 18 ; P. 17 ; V. 9 ; A. 17 ; C. 20. 
In the number of fin-rays these agree with C. Leachii (Yarr.),but differ 
in being serrated on the belly. 
On comparing these two with two sprats of similar size, I find the fol- 
lowing difference : — In the former, the D. fin originates midway between 
the snout and the first quarter of the longest caudal ray. In the sprats 
the D. fin commences midway between the snout and the last third (§) of 
the longest caudal ray. In young herrings the D. originates as far before 
the V. as the V. do before the D. in the sprats (7. e. about ^ of the length 
of the V.). 
In the form of the posterior margin of operculum there is a strongly 
marked difference, that of the sprats being somewhat rounded, whilst in 
the herrings the corresponding parts become broader towards the base. 
I undertook the above comparison on account of these specimens being 
serrated on the abdomen, which Jenyns (p. 434) and Yarrell state the C. 
Harengus is not ; but the differences pointed out by Mr. Jenyns between 
the C\ Harengus and C. Sprattus , under the head of the latter, apply ex- 
actly to those existing between the specimens compared above. On this 
comparison Mr. Jenyns (p. 435) observes of the C. Sprattus, “ Keel of the 
abdomen more sharply serrated than in that species (C. Harengus),” thus 
admitting that the abdomen of C '. Harengus is serrated. 
A number of small herrings, in Dr. R. Ball’s possession, were also 
taken at the Dublin quays, below the Custom House, on unbaited hooks. 
The line was swept quickly through the water, and three fish brought up 
almost invariably, one to each hook ; the hooks were black, and the fish 
all taken by the mouth. 
In Belfast Bay the herring is generally taken from May to November ; 
but I have notes of occasional captures in January and February. 
The late Mr. Nimmo and Mr. M‘Calla informed me that on the Galway 
coast there are two distinct seasons for the herring fisheries, viz. one in 
autumn, when the “ Harvest Herring ” is obtained, and the other in the 
latter end of January and in February. 
In August, 1845, I obtained two herrings brought from Drontheim to 
Belfast, and could see no difference between them and herrings (examined 
when fresh) taken in Belfast Bay : they are 11 inches in length. 
The Sprat, Clupea Sprattus, Bloch, 
Is taken around the coast. 
Localities noted : — Donegal ; Tory Island (Mr. G. C. Hyndman) ; Bel- 
fast Bay ; Newcastle (County Down) ; Dublin and Youghal (Dr. It. Ball) ; 
Island of Achill ; Galway (Mr. M‘Calla). 
Authors referred to: — M‘Skimmin ; Templeton; Rutty and Smith 
(Cork). 
There is no fishery for sprats on the coasts of Antrim or Down, but 
they are taken in great abundance in the South. 
From the stomach of a large Holibut ( Hippoglossus vulgaris) brought 
from Carrickfergus to Belfast market, on 10th Feb., 1837, I obtained ten 
full-grown sprats, the two largest 5f inches long. Excepting the loss of 
scales, they were in excellent preservation. The fin-rays of one which I 
examined were — D. 17; A. 18 ; P. 17 ; V. 7 ; C. 19. In a specimen 
received from Youghal they were — D. 17 ; A. 19 ; P. 16 ; Y. 7 ; C. 19. 
